ISSUE 2 - APRIL 2002

Australian Folklore Network
Australian Folklore Research Unit
Curtin University of Technology

FROM THE CONVENOR

Welcome to the AFN’s second newsletter. In this edition we bring more news of AFN activities and projects, word about initiatives of interest by affiliates and others, and generally continue communicating with people working in the now very broad field of Australian folklore. An especially exciting development at Curtin University of Technology is also announced.
My thanks to those who have contributed to this edition and to those who have affiliated. Please keep items of interest coming in for future ‘Transmissions’ and feel free to pass this edition to anyone who may be interested.
Graham Seal
AFN Convenor

INAUGURAL AFN FORUM

The first Forum went ahead as planned at the National Folk Festival on Saturday March 30. Timetabled at 7pm on Saturday night, the meeting did not attract a crowd! However, those who came along were interested and smartly put into practice what the AFN is all about – exchanging information and communicating.

There was strong support for the concept of the AFN and those present indicated that there were many people with an interest in one or more aspects of Australian folklore. We plan to hold another such meeting at next year’s National.

CURTIN UNIVERSITY RECOGNISES FOLKLORE

The Division of Humanities at Curtin University recently approved the establishment of the Australian Folklore Research Unit (AFRU). Under the Directorship of Dr Graham Seal and in association with Australian Studies, the unit will continue and extend research, archiving, teaching and associated activities carried out at Curtin University over many years, including:

the Western Australian Folklore Archive

the Graduate Diploma in Australian Folklife (in conjunction with Open Learning Australia and Monash University)

Dissemination of research and reference materials by publication and electronic media

Convening and resourcing the Australian Folklore Network, including publishing ‘Transmissions’

The unit will extend existing activities and seek new research links with academic, educational, cultural, industry, professional and community organisations around the country and internationally. AFRU will also maintain the online resource base ‘Folklore Australia’ and develop Australia’s first undergraduate major in folklore.

NATIONAL REGISTER OF FOLKLORE COLLECTIONS

Preliminary work on this project continues with a number of collectors contributing information. This will now be combined with existing information, mainly from the Australian Folk Trust’s Australian Folk Resources publications of the 1980s and material in the WA Folklore Archive. It is hoped that the Australian Folklore Research Unit (AFRU) at Curtin University will soon be able to provide online access to the Register.

ANTHOLOGY OF TRADITIONAL PERFORMERS PROJECT

The Australian Folklore Network, in conjunction with Curtin University and the National Library of Australia, has initiated a project designed to bring Australian folk music traditions to the attention of the broader community.

It is intended to publish an illustrated book consisting of c.50-60 brief accounts of traditional performers, together with some examples of their art. The book will be accompanied by a CD of the performers featured.

The book will showcase the strength, colour and diversity of our folk song and music, traditions and be representative in terms of location, ethnicity, gender, age and style, etc.

Any proceeds of the project will be distributed among participants according to the number of contributions used.
Collectors will need to clear any copyright matters with their informants (and/or other interested parties) and be prepared to warrant that they have permission to use the material in print, CD (and possibly radio) media. Copyright in contributed material will remain with the collectors and/or informants.

If you would like to contribute to this significant national project contact either of the editors:

SIMPLY AUSTRALIA

FOLKLORE AUSTRALIA

An online resource base for those interested in all aspects of folklore and folklife: http://members.iinet.net.au/~cknow/

IRISH FOLK MUSIC STUDIES

The Folk Music Society of Ireland has just published the latest issue of its journal Irish Folk Music Studies vols 5-6, a double number containing articles, book reviews, record reviews, and a bibliography and discography covering the period 1985 to 2000 inclusive. The volume is edited by Hugh Shields, Nicholas Carolan and Thérèse Smith.
Contents, price and ordering information available on the FMSI website: http://homepage.eircom.net/~shields/fmsi/

LABOUR LORE

Mark Gregory writes:
I have added some new songs and poems to the union songs website. Two songs from Kathleen McLennan about refugees and a song by Bernard Carney about refugees (why can't we give refuge to a refugee). http://workers.labor.net.au/124/c_historicalfeature_songs.html
A collection of poems from South African trade unionist Tobile Maso. See them at http://crixa.com/muse/unionsong
For those who remember the days of Art in Working Life I've set up a site called LOCO in commemoration of the Sidetrack Theatre play developed at Chullora Workshops: http://crixa.com/muse/loco/Mark Gregory

AUSTRALIAN FOLKLORE 2001 NOW OUT

The 2001 journal of the Australian Folklore Association, Australian Folklore, is now issued. This is the 16th number of the journal, which was founded in the WA Folklore Archive by Graham Seal and Dave Hults in 1987. Further information at: http://www.une.edu.au/arts/FolkloreJournal/AF.htm

AFN AFFILIATES

Individuals and organisations with an involvement or interest in these activities are invited to affiliate with the AFN. Affiliation is no-charge and obligation-free, entitling the affiliate to receive the newsletter and take part in AFN activities and projects, including the Forum at the National Folk Festival, the National Register of Folklore Collections and other projects that are developed.